The Crate
Madness
Absolutely
Absolutely is Madness’s second studio album, released on Stiff Records on September 26, 1980. It reached No. 2 in the UK and spawned major hits like Baggy Trousers (No. 3), Embarrassment (No. 4), and The Return of the Los Palmas 7 (No. 7). ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolutely_%28Madness_album%29))
Recording History
- Recording studio/location: Eden Studios, London. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolutely_%28Madness_album%29))
- Producers: Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolutely_%28Madness_album%29))
- Recording dates/sessions: Recorded in 1980; the album surfaced quickly after Madness’s debut era. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolutely_%28Madness_album%29))
- Notable notes: AllMusic describes the sessions as a rapid recording that capitalized on the band’s momentum, with a production gloss that helped the singles shine. ([allmusic.com](https://www.allmusic.com/album/absolutely-mw0000236021))
- Engineers: Engineering credits are not listed in the readily accessible sources cited here (producers are documented). ([allmusic.com](https://www.allmusic.com/album/absolutely-mw0000236021))
Chart Performance & Recognition
- UK: Peak at No. 2 on the official Albums Chart; First date on chart 04/10/1980; total 42 weeks on the chart. ([officialcharts.com](https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/madness-absolutely/)) ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolutely_%28Madness_album%29))
- US: Billboard Hot 200 peak at No. 146. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolutely_%28Madness_album%29))
- Certifications: UK Platinum (300,000 shipments). ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolutely_%28Madness_album%29))
- Awards: The release was recognized in Smash Hits Reader’s Poll as Best Album of the Year (1981). ([musicbrainz.org](https://musicbrainz.org/release/cce30657-6d0c-427f-88d5-0cdc00bb4b0e))
- Critical reception at release: Billboard praised the move toward a tighter, funk/R&B-leaning sound; Rolling Stone offered a more mixed/bold critique in contemporaneous reviews; AllMusic’s later appraisal highlights strong singles within a polished package. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolutely_%28Madness_album%29))
Cultural Impact & Legacy
- Influence: Absolutely; its brisk ska rhythms and pop sensibility are emblematic of Madness’s role in the late-70s/early-80s ska revival. ([allmusic.com](https://www.allmusic.com/album/absolutely-mw0000236021))
- Notable covers/samples: The title track and especially Baggy Trousers have been covered or repurposed in various acts, reflecting its enduring resonance. ([whosampled.com](https://www.whosampled.com/Ten-Masked-Men/Baggy-Trousers/?utm_source=openai))
- Today: In a 2020 GQ interview, Lee Thompson named Absolutely his favourite Madness album, underscoring its lasting significance for the band. The album’s reissues (2009–2010) with bonus material also attest to its continued relevance. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolutely_%28Madness_album%29))
- Trivia: The cover photos feature the band at Chalk Farm tube station; the inner sleeve includes a London Underground roundel and band history. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolutely_%28Madness_album%29))
Complete.